The value of Pi is unknowable, which makes it an “irrational number.” 3.1415926535897…..Computer scientists have calculated billions of digits of Pi without discerning a recognizable pattern. To infinity and beyond! This concept of irrationality has made many of men mad. On the flip side, Vetta is a Sanskrit term that means “knower” in Hindu philosophy, as in someone who has a deeper or higher spiritual knowledge. The dichotomy and duality of life. It is presented to us everyday. So, it would only make sense that Nick Pivetta (54.8% owned – increase of 24.3%) would be the literal poster boy. Against righties, 30.3% K-BB rate and 2.39 xFIP. Against lefties, 14.3% K-BB rate and 4.29 xFIP. At home, 2.80 xFIP and 26.4% K-BB rate. On the road, 4.33 xFIP and 14.9% K-BB rate. The overall snapshot, though, looks amazing. 10.19 strikeout rate with a 2.04 walk rate. 3.29 xFIP and 0.85 HR/9. The hard contact rate is only 27.1% and the swinging strike rate is 11.3%. Granted, the sample size is small and last season Pivetta was worse against righties. I like Pivetta, as he throws mid-90s, has good control, and can miss bats. Just be aware that there is more under the hood than what the overall numbers are showing. With that said: TREASURE
Delino DeShields (43.8% owned – decrease of 10.5%) is 2-for-24 with 2 runs scored, 2 RBI, and 1 stolen base over the past week. For the season, he’s batting .226 with 8 stolen bases. He’s struggling mightily against right-handed pitching. 26.2% strikeout rate, 7.8% walk rate, and .187 batting average. Against lefties, 17.2% strikeout rate, 13.8% walk rate, and .375 batting average. There’s some hope, though. The BABIP against righties is .254. The career rate has been .319. I’m inclined to believe that this is just a slump and that positive regression will happen sooner rather than later. Outside of Tuesday’s game, DeShields had been starting and batting leadoff every game. Unless he’s moved to the bottom of the order or starts getting platooned, I view DeShields as a valuable source of steals. TREASURE
Tyler O’Neill (28.2% owned – increase of 27.2%) is 9-for-17 with 6 runs, 3 home runs, and 6 RBI since being called up on May 18th. As I’m writing this on Wednesday, he got another hit and scored a run. He’s also batting cleanup! We know the power is for real, as he had a high of 32 home runs in High-A back in 2015. He also lifts a gazzillion pounds in the weight room. With that said, 30.8% strikeout rate, 3.8% walk rate, and an insane 21.4% swinging strike rate. He’s chasing 39.7% of pitches out of the strike zone! 58% contract rate! Unless he ups the walk rate, pitchers are going to start feasting on him. I just can’t see the sustainability. Sorry, Ralph. I know he’s your boy and all. TRASH
Yasiel Puig (71.9% owned – increase of 10.4%) is 5-for-17 with 4 runs, 3 home runs, 5 RBI, and 1 stolen base over the past week. Since returning from the DL, Puigy has a triple slash of .294/.400/.765 with 5 home runs, 7 RBI, and 1 stolen base. There was definitely some bad luck in the early going for Puigy, as the BABIP is still .244 and batting average is .221 after his recent heater. He’s also been popping up the ball in the infield at a 20% clip. Me thinks it was mostly a timing issue. The strikeout rate is at 20.6% and walk rate is at 9.6%. The swinging strike rate is at a career-low 9.5% while the contact rates of 91.8% in the zone and 80.4% in general are both career-highs. Now, Dave Roberts keeps him buried down in the 6 or 7 hole of the lineup, but it looks like the positive regression machine has already started and Puigy could still end the season 20/10. TREASURE
